An Integrative Review of Health-related Quality of Life for Lung Cancer Patients in South Korea

The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of physical symptoms, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) during chemotherapy for colorectal cancer patients in South Korea and to identify factors influencing their QOL. Data were collected from 144 colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy during 2012 at one general hospital located in Seoul. Physical symptoms were measured by the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Gastrointestinal Cancer Module, and anxiety and depression were measured by the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. QOL was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé post hoc test, Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression. Mean age of the participants was 56.6 and most of them were not employed. In terms of cancer stage, 38.2% were in stage 3, followed by stage 4 (34.7%). The most frequent symptom was lack of appetite, followed by sleep disturbance and fatigue. The mean score for anxiety was 5.40 with a prevalence of 23% and that of depression 8.85 with a prevalence of 64.6%. The mean score for quality of life was 81.93 out of 136 and 75.3% of the variance in QOL was explained by depression, symptoms, anxiety, treatment place, and occupational status. Depression was the strongest predictive factor. Oncology professionals need to pay special attention to relieving depression as well as physical symptoms to improve QOL during chemotherapy for colorectal cancer patients.

Background/Objectives: The utilization of hospice and palliative care services has been limited yet in South Korea. The purpose of this study is to investigate perception and needs toward hospice and palliative care. Methods/Statistical Analysis: A cross-sectional design was used to examine perception and needs on hospice and palliative care. Data were collected from 19th August to 30th September in 2014. 250 family caregivers of cancer patients in South Korea were surveyed from cancer wards or hospice care units using a structured questionnaire. Chi-square tests were conducted to determine the differences in the perception and needs on hospice and palliative care according to participant's characteristics. Findings: Around 50% of the respondents replied that they had no or vague idea on hospice and palliative care services. Over 80% of the respondents perceived that hospice and palliative care is necessary and they want to use those services. Religion of the respondents, type of ward, dependence of patient, and length of caring were related to perception on Hospice and Palliative care. Type of ward, cancer stage of patient, dependence of patient, type of insurance, length of caring were related to need on those services. Those who had more awareness on hospice and palliative care were more likely to recognize the necessity of those services. Application/Improvements: These findings represent that caregivers' needs on hospice and palliative care services are high, but its perception is relatively low. To improve awareness about it, public education should be required.

This study was conducted to explore the unmet needs and health-related quality of life (QOL) of family caregivers who support cancer patients, and to determine the impact of these unmet needs on their health-related QOL. A descriptive study was conducted from July 1 to July 30, 2023, in which a survey was administered to 129 family caregivers of cancer patients undergoing outpatient treatment at a general hospital of South Korea. The effect of unmet needs on health-related QOL was analyzed using stepwise multiple regression analysis, while controlling for covariates such as the general characteristics of the participants. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that unmet needs significantly impacted health-related QOL. The final regression model explained a substantial portion of the variance in health-related QOL, with an R-squared value of.466 (46.6%). Unmet needs of health and psychological problems (β = -.37) as well as religious/spiritual support (β = -.20) had a significant independent effect on the health-related QOL of family caregivers of cancer patients. Additionally, the health-related QOL of caregivers was significantly better when they did not live with the patient (β = .29) and when they had higher income levels (β = .18) for incomes between 300-500 million won, and β = .29 for incomes of 500 million won or more, compared to those earning less than 100 million won). The health-related QOL of family caregivers for cancer patients can be adversely affected by unmet needs, including health and psychological problems as well as religious and spiritual support. It is therefore necessary to develop and implement support programs or systems that promote physical, psychological, and spiritual health for these caregivers.

BackgroundThe cancer death rate escalated during 20th century. In South Korea, lung cancer is expected to contribute 12,736 deaths in men, the highest amount among all cancers. Several risk factors may increase the chance to acquiring lung cancer, with mostly related to exogenous compounds found in cigarette smoke and synthetic manufacturing materials. As the mortality rate of lung cancer increases, deeper understanding is necessary to explore risk factors that may lead to this malignancy. In this regard, this study aims to apply high resolution metabolomics (HRM) using LC-MS to detect significant compounds that might contribute in inducing lung cancer and find the correlation of these compounds to the subjects’ smoking habit.MethodsThe comparison was made between healthy control and lung cancer groups for metabolic differences. Further analyses to determine if these differences are related to tobacco-induced lung cancer (past-smoker control vs. past-smoker lung cancer patients (LCPs) and non-smoker control vs. current-smoker LCPs) were selected. The univariate analysis was performed, including a false discovery rate (FDR) of q = 0.05, to determine the significant metabolites between the analyses. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) was done to discriminate metabolites between the control and case subjects. Selected compounds based on significant m/z features of human serum then experienced MS/MS examination, showing that for many m/z, the patterns of ion dissociation matched with standards. Then, the significant metabolites were identified using Metlin database and features were mapped on the human metabolic pathway mapping tool of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG).ResultsUsing metabolomics-wide association studies, metabolic changes were observed among control group and lung cancer patients. Bisphenol A (211.11, [M + H-H2O]+), retinol (287.23, [M + H]+) and L-proline (116.07, [M + H]+) were among the significant compounds found to have contributed in the discrimination between these groups, suggesting that these compounds might be related in the development of lung cancer. Retinol has been seen to have a correlation with smoking while both bisphenol A and L-proline were found to be unrelated.ConclusionsTwo potential biomarkers, retinol and L-proline, were identified and these findings may create opportunities for the development of new lung cancer diagnostic tools.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12931-016-0419-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Objective We identify the most associative factors among existential well-being, health-related quality of life, and health behaviors’ sub-factors for cancer patients’ suicidal ideation (SI) to develop practical intervention tools for general cancer patients in South Korea. Participants We surveyed 766 cancer patients from two hospitals in South Korea. The eligibility criteria were as follows: 18 years of age or older, diagnosed with cancer, aware of the stage, and capable of understanding the purpose of the study. Methods We performed a multidimensional multivariate analysis to find the factors that are most associated with SI for cancer patients. Results The results showed that life worthwhile (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 3.946; 95% CI, 1.64–9.48), social functioning (aOR, 2.817; 95% CI, 1.19–6.65), and living with loved ones (aOR, 0.353; 95% CI, 0.15–0.84) were the most predictive factors for SI. Conclusion To prevent SI in cancer patients, it might be necessary to help them feel that their lives are worthwhile while helping them maintain a high degree of social health. Implications for Psychosocial Providers or Policy It is important to help cancer patients value their life and lead the high-quality social life to reduce their SI.

PCN33 Health Related Quality of Life in Post-Operative Breast Cancer Patients

Although non-prescription anthelmintics are used by many patients as cancer treatment in South Korea, data regarding the experiences or perceptions of these drugs are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the repercussions of non-prescription anthelmintics for cancer treatment and evaluate their perceived effectiveness and adverse effects. This survey included 86 cancer patients, aged 19 years and older, who underwent anthelmintic therapy for cancer. They were recruited from two online communities in South Korea through a structured questionnaire that was provided online. Cancer patients under non-prescription anthelmintic therapy for cancer in South Korea were mostly in their advanced stages and had started the treatment in 2019. About half of the cancer patients had taken non-prescription anthelmintics during their chemotherapy, and 96.5% of them did not inform the clinicians. These participants had a positive perception (79.1%) toward the effectiveness of anthelmintics, as they felt it improved their physical condition. Data on the adverse effects of anthelmintics showed that more than two-third of the participants did not report experiencing any adverse effects. Communication between the clinicians and cancer patients regarding the use of non-prescription anthelmintics should be enhanced to prevent adverse effects.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop and activate anti-tumor herbal acupuncture for cancer patients in South Korea. Methods: We investigated some literatures on anti-tumor herbal acupuncture which is used in South Korea and China, and made diagrams. Results: The results are summarized as follows. Anti-tumor herbal acupuncture is one of the traditional oriental medical method which is effective for cancer patients. In domestic studies, most of herb materials are belong to action of cooling&detoxification(25.0%) and strengthening body resistance(46.4%) which are proved to have effects of anti-tumor, immune activation and preventing tumor. In China, point injection therapy are used for improving symptoms of cancer patients and hea1ing tumor. Also herbal intravenous injection is used for combination of chinese traditional and western cancer therapy and treating cancer patients variously. Conclusions: From the above results. it is expected that anti-tumor herbal acupuncture is useful to improve clinical symptoms and quality of life(QOL) of cancer patients. Also we must develop new progressive methods of point injection and herbal intravenous injection for treating cancer patients, and advance clinical studies and trials.

Background/Objectives: Cancer is No. 1 cause of death among Koreans. The aim of this study is to analyze factors influencing quality of life among cancer patients. Method/Statistical Analysis: The descriptive survey study objects are 96 cancer patients. The questionnaire used for the survey included health promotion behavior measurement tool, Korean version of Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), helplessness scale, and Korean version of EORTC QLQ-C30. Quality of life was divided into three sub-areas: general health condition/quality of life, functional quality of life, and symptom-related quality of life. Correlation analysis and stepwise regression analysis were performed on the data. Findings: The average score in health promotion behavior of respondents was 2.35 of maximum 4. The score in resilience was 90.07 of 125. The score in helplessness was 2.01 of 4. There were some differences in quality of life affected by demographic characteristics of respondents. Functional quality of life was significantly different depending on age and education. General health/quality of life has positive correlations with health promotion behavior, and resilience, but negative correlation with helplessness. Functional quality of life has positive correlations with health promotion behavior, and resilience, and negative correlation with helplessness. Symptom-related quality of life has negative correlations with health promotion behavior and resilience, and positive correlation with helplessness. That is, the higher health promotion behavior and resilience go up, and the more helplessness goes down, level of quality of life goes up. Health promotion behavior and helplessness explained 27.8% of functional quality of life, and 22.5% of symptom-related quality of life. Thus, the two variables affect quality of life for cancer patients. Applications/Improvements: It is necessary to identify factors influencing quality of life among cancer patients to increase the effects of intervention to reduce helplessness and explaining power to improve health promotion behavior.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality and financial distress worldwide. In South Korea, the government introduced a benefit extension system in 2013 aimed at mitigating the financial strain associated with cancer treatment. However, cancer patients continue to bear significant out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses. This study aims to quantify the incremental healthcare utilization and OOP expenditures incurred by cancer patients in South Korea. Utilizing data from the 2019 Korean Health Panel (KHP), we assessed cancer-related healthcare utilization and OOP expenditures. A generalized linear regression model, adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic variables, was employed. Healthcare utilization was measured by hospital admissions, outpatient visits, and emergency room (ER) visits, while OOP expenditures encompassed services including both covered and not covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI) system. Cancer patients experienced 0.39 more hospitalizations, 4.91 additional outpatient visits, and 0.11 more ER visits annually compared to non-cancer patients. Their incremental OOP expenses amounted to $482.8 per year, with $340.2 attributable to inpatient services. Notable variations in healthcare utilization and expenditures were observed across different cancer types. Despite the implementation of the benefit extension system, cancer patients continue to face considerable OOP expenses, particularly for inpatient care. With cancer incidence expected to rise, there is a pressing need for more comprehensive healthcare policies that alleviate the financial burden and prioritize cost-effective treatments for cancer patients. This study underscores the substantial economic impact of cancer on South Korean patients. Expanding the benefit extension system and promoting cost-effective care strategies are critical to easing the growing financial pressures on cancer patients.

본 연구의 목적은 스마트환자 개념을 사용하여 암환자를 위한 간호중재 프로그램이 디스트레스와삶의 질에 미치는 효과를 알아보는 것이다. 비동등성 대조군 전후 연구설계가 사용되었다. 대상자는암환자로서 실험군에는 21명, 대조군에는 19명으로 구성되었다. 간호중재는 2015년 1월 10일에 시작하여 8주 동안 실험군에게 적용되었다. 대조군에게는 디스트레스 관리에 대한 유인물이 제공되었다. 대상자의 디스트레스와 삶이 질을 측정하기 위해 디스트레스 온도계, 문제 목록, 한국판 McMaster Quality of Life Scale (MQLS)가 사용되었다. ‘스마트환자되기’ 간호중재는 디스트레스 정도와 일부디스트레스 문제를 감소시키고, 삶의 질을 증진시키는데 효과적이었다. 이 결과는 스마트환자되기간호중재 프로그램이 한국의 암환자에게 디스트레스를 낮추고, 삶의 질을 증진시키는데 사용될 수있음을 보여준다. 한국의 암환자를 돌보는 간호사들은 가족 및 의료진과의 의사소통이 중요함을인식해야 한다.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a nursing intervention program for cancer patient, using the concept of “smart patients”, on patient distress and quality of life. This study was conducted by adopting a non-equivalent control group pre and post-test design for 21 cancer patients as an experimental group and 19 patients as a control group. The nursing intervention was applied to the experimental group for eight weeks, beginning January 10, 2015, while booklets on distress management were provided to the control group. To measure the distress and quality of life of subjects, the distress thermometer, problem list, and the Korean Version McMaster Quality of Life Scale (MQLS) were used. It is found that the ‘Becoming Smart Patients’ nursing intervention was effective in reducing distress and improving the quality of life of cancer patients. These results indicate that the nursing intervention program that helps patients become smart may reduce distress and improve the quality of life of cancer patients in South Korea. Nurses who care for cancer patients should recognize the importance of communication with family and medical staff.

PurposeThis study examined diet-related problems and needs associated with nutritional care according to survival stage in Korean female cancer survivors.Methods186 outpatients (breast or gynecologic cancer survivors) recruited. Subjects were classified as (1) extended stage (ES, 2–5 years from diagnosis) and (2) long-term stage (LS, ≥5 years from diagnosis). Eating habits, changes in health related factors, nutritional needs, and quality of life were investigated.Results43% of ES survivors had diet-related problems (p = .031); ES group reported dyspepsia and LS group reported anorexia/nausea as the major problem. Half of ES survivors had taste change, decreasing amount of intake, and reduced quality of life (p < .05). The LS group had a greater preference for sweet tastes than the ES group. According to their diagnosis, ES survivors with breast cancer gained weight (27.1%), whereas ES survivors with gynecologic cancer lost their body weight (34.5%) significantly. LS breast cancer patients showed great food preference for vegetables, whereas those with gynecologic cancer showed an increased preference for fish, meat and grain. Approximately 90% of survivors demanded nutritional care regarding restricted foods, preventing recurrence, particularly in ES survivors (p < .01). Moreover, main factors for nutritional care needs were body weight control for breast cancer and food environment for gynecologic cancer.ConclusionSurvivors have different aspects of diet-related problems by survival stage as dyspepsia in ES and anorexia in LS. ES stage had changes in dietary patterns and their food consumption have decreased. Most of survivors have demanded nutritional care regardless of survival stage. These features of each stage should be considered to improve their health.

Background and objectives: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Early stage diagnosis is important for predicting increases in treatment success rates and decreases in patient mortality. Recently, circulating biomarkers such as circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, exosomes, and circulating microRNAs have been examined as blood-based markers for the diagnosis of breast cancer. Although miR-202 has been studied for its function or expression in breast cancer, its potential diagnostic value in a clinical setting remains elusive and miR-202 has not been investigated in South Korea. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of miR-202 in plasma samples of breast cancer patients in South Korea. Materials and Methods: We investigated miR-202 expression in the plasma of 30 breast cancer patients during diagnosis along with 30 healthy controls in South Korea by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Results: The results showed that circulating miR-202 levels were significantly elevated in the breast cancer patients compared with those in healthy controls (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of circulating miR-202 were 90.0% and 93.0%, respectively. Additionally, circulating miR-202 showed high positivity at early stage. The positive rate of miR-202 was as follows: 100% (10/10) for stage I, 90% (9/10) for stage II, and 80% (8/10) for stage III. miR-202 was also a predictor of a 9.6-fold high risk for breast cancer (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Additional alternative molecular biomarkers for diagnosis and management of pre-cancer patients are needed. Circulating miR-202 might be potential diagnostic tool for detecting early stage breast cancer.

Purpose: To investigate the practice and attitude of healthcare professionals toward the sexuality of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: The subjects were comprised of doctors and nurses who served at two medical centers. Questionnaires consisted of five domains and fourteen questions were disseminated via emails in March 2009. The first domain (3 questions) pertained the recognition of sexual dysfunction in cancer patients, the second (2 questions) pertained cancer patients’ experience of sexual dysfunction, the third (3 questions) pertained the attitude to cancer patients with sexual dysfunction, the fourth (3 questions) pertained capacity for sexual dysfunction treatment, and the fifth (3 questions) pertained problems or difficulties encountered when facing cancer patients’ sexual dysfunction. Results: Three hundred and twenty-six men and women completed the questionnaires, giving a response rate of 85.4%. The mean age was 33.6 years. The proportion of doctors and nurses were respectively 48.2% and 51.8%. The proportion of males and females were 29.8%, and 70.2%, respectively. Ninety point five per cent (90.5%) of respondents answered that cancer patients’ sexual dysfunction is important to quality of life. However, fewer medical professionals (27.4%) give an affirmative answer that patients requested sexual dysfunction therapy. The occurred particularly less frequently in physicians (13.2%) than in surgeons (55.6%). Fifty-four point six (54.6%) percent of respondents said that they tried to resolve the problem when patients asking for treatment of sexual dysfunction. Only 38.3% of respondents experienced little or no difficulty in behaving naturally when counseling cancer patients about their sexual dysfunction. Female doctors and nurses more often experience embarrassment when addressing sexuality with patients. In addition, most respondents (84.0%) felt that theoretical knowledge on cancer patients’ problems is needed. Conclusions: Most healthcare professionals agreed that sexual problems of cancer patients were important for quality of life. However, they frequently felt a lack of communicating skills and theoretical knowledge. Education programs on this issue and an appropriate contact system with specialists should be established.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a comprehensive group rehabilitation program on the range of motion of the shoulder joint, psychosocial adjustment, and the quality of life for early breast cancer patients. Fifty-five women with early breast cancer were assigned to an intervention group or a control group. Intervention was provided three times per week for 10 weeks. The results showed an increased range of motion of the shoulder joint, and psychosocial adjustment and quality of life were shown to be significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group. The rehabilitation program comprised psychology-based education, exercise, and peer support group activity to promote recovery of the affected shoulder joint range of motion, alleviate physical symptoms, and improve psychosocial adjustment and quality of life for early breast cancer patients in South Korea.